Summer is the best. Join Milwaukee Record and Miller High Life August 5-12 as we search the city and beyond for the Spirit Of Summer.
As we slowly crawl into the dog days of summer, it’s tempting to simply stay inside, crank the AC, and watch Alone on Netflix or whatever. But no! This is Milwaukee! Home of the insanely long winters and insanely packed summers! There’s a lot of stuff left to do! There’s a lot of stuff that must be done.
In order to inspire you to get out of the house and enjoy the dwindling days of good weather left in 2024 (fall officially begins September 23), we’ve complied a list of 46 things to do in the 46 remaining days of summer. Yes, there are tons of same-day events not included on this list (we trust you’ll let us know all about them), but that fact only demonstrates the sheer ridiculousness of the city’s stacked summer calendar. So buckle up, bust out a clean pair of jorts, and let’s finish strong, Milwaukee.
Thursday, August 8
DeVotchKa @ Vivarium
Friday, August 9
Tedeschi Trucks Band + Margo Price @ BMO Pavilion
Saturday, August 10
The Mighty Deerlick (record release) + City Fools, Mike Jarvis @ Club Garibaldi
Sunday, August 11
Wisconsin State Fair @ Wisconsin State Fair Park
One doesn’t hit up the Wisconsin State Fair to eat organic small plate cuisine and witness evocative performance art. People go to the fair to eat cream puffs and weird stuff on a stick, watch pig races and dog diving demos, compete in livestock competitions, and catch performances from acts like TLC, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Brothers Osborne, Foreigner, and Charlie Berens. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and August 11 is the last day.
Monday, August 12
Musical Mondays @ Lake Park Summer Stage
Tuesday, August 13
Chill On The Hill: Combustor + Something To Do @ Humboldt Park
For nearly two decades, Bay View Neighborhood Association’s Chill On The Hill has brought music to Humboldt Park’s band chalet every Tuesday between June and August. And hey! It’s August! Which means Chill On The Hill is in full swing! Drop by as Combuster and Something To Do continue Chill’s 19th season in style. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. And, as always, “IF IT MAKES A CLOUD IT’S NOT ALLOWED.”
Wednesday, August 14
Childish Gambino + Willow @ Fiserv Forum
On Wednesday, August 14, Childish Gambino—the musical alter ego of writer/actor/director Donald Glover—will come to Fiserv Forum as part of “The New World Tour.” The tour comes after the recent release of Atavista, which is a re-imagined version of Gambino’s fourth album, 3.15.20. Willow opens.
Thursday, August 15
Chris Gethard + Eddie Pepitone, Keegan Tindall @ X-Ray Arcade
Chris Gethard is a lot of things. He’s a cult comedy legend, the namesake and former figurehead of The Chris Gethard Show, an actor (who you might know from films like Don’t Think Twice and TV shows like Broad City and The Office), and the host of the Beautiful/Anonymous podcast. He’s also joining forces with another alt-comedy favorite, Eddie “The Bitter Buddha” Pepitone, to co-headline what’s sure to be a hilarious night of standup at X-Ray Arcade.
Friday, August 16
Milwaukee Irish Fest @ Henry Maier Festival Park
Saturday, August 17
Center Street Daze Festival @ Center Street
Center Street Daze Festival will make its triumphant return to Center Street (between Holton and Humboldt) on Saturday, August 17. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Riverwest thoroughfare will be abuzz with activity in the form of food and retail vendors, pushcart races, an outdoor pool tournament, and more.
Sunday, August 18
Puerto Rican Festival of Wisconsin @ Veterans Park
Monday, August 19
Monsoon + Bug Moment, Bronco @ Cactus Club
Tuesday, August 20
Skyline Music Series: Urban Empress & The UrbanItes @ Kadish Park
Wednesday, August 21
Summer Of Soul: Talib Kweli @ Peck Pavilion (Marcus Performing Arts Center)
Curated and organized by local engagement marketing firm Culture x Design, Summer of Soul will take place every other Wednesday, from July 10 through September 18, on the Peck Pavilion and outdoor lawn of the downtown Marcus Performing Arts Center. In addition to local talent, the series will feature free shows from established national artists, including an August 21 performance by the legendary Talib Kweli. All Summer of Soul events will be free and open to the public, and will run from 5-10 p.m.
Thursday, August 22
A-F-R-O + A.M. Early Morning, BLAX, John Jigg$ @ The Cooperage
On Thursday, August 22, The Cooperage will host a stacked hip-hop bill that’s headed up by rapper/actor/wunderkind A-F-R-O, with support from A.M. Early Morning, BLAX, and John Jigg$.
Friday, August 23
Mexican Fiesta @ Henry Maier Festival Park
Saturday, August 24
Guided By Voices + Buffalo Nichols, NEWSKI, Jinksie, The Exotics @ Humboldt Park
Legendary high-kicking Dayton, Ohio indie-rock band Guided By Voices will headline WMSE’s 14th annual Backyard BBQ concert in Humboldt Park. The free—we repeat, free—show will run from noon to 8 p.m., and will once again serve as a thank-you to listeners and supporters of the long-running free-form radio station, as well as a thank-you to the community at large. But that’s not all! A bevy of local talent will play throughout the afternoon as well. The Exotics will kick things off, followed by Jinksie, NEWSKI, and Buffalo Nichols.
Sunday, August 25
SS WEB + Saddle Of Southern Darkness @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Monday, August 26
Former Critics + Clementine, Man Alive, The Fall Sound @ Cactus Club
Tuesday, August 27
Rob Zombie + Alice Cooper @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Wednesday, August 28
Milwaukee Record presents ‘Kindergarten Cop’ @ Avalon Theater
Join us at Avalon Theater on Wednesday, August 28 for an extra special showing of Kindergarten Cop, a classic 1990 action-tinged comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as John Kimble, a detective who goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher. This funny, infinitely quotable (“IT’S NOT A TUMOR!”), and surprisingly violent film also features a supporting cast that includes the likes of Pamela Reed, Penelope Ann Miller, and that little kid who played Michelle’s friend on Full House. Whether you’re preparing to go back to school yourself or you just want to see “The Governator” in a school setting, you won’t want to miss our Wednesday, August 28 screening of Kindergarten Cop.
Thursday, August 29
Bikini Kill + Shadow Show @ Riverside Theater
After FINALLY managing to get their long-awaited Milwaukee show in last April following three years of postponements, two date changes, and one venue change, Bikini Kill will tempt fate by trying to do another Milwaukee show. If all goes as planned, the legendary riot grrrl pioneers will return to Riverside Theater on Thursday, August 29. Shadow Show will play in support.
Friday, August 30
ESG (Accessibility Initiative Fundraising Concert) @ Cactus Club
In order to raise further funds for Cactus Club’s Accessibility Initiative (the club was awarded a Ruth Foundation for the Arts grant in April), the Bay View venue will host two big fundraiser shows this summer. The second such performance will bring heavily sampled South Bronx disco-punk legends ESG to the club on Friday, August 30 to play their first Wisconsin show ever. These tickets are $150 and 50 percent of the funds will go to the Cactus+ Accessibility Initiative.
Saturday, August 31
The Gaslight Anthem + Joyce Manor, Pinkshift @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Fans of powerful, emotionally wrought punk rock rejoice! The Gaslight Anthem is coming to The Rave/Eagles Club this summer as part of the veteran band’s “History Books Tour,” and they’re bringing Joyce Manor and Pinkshift along for the ride.
Sunday, September 1
Summer Patio Music Series @ Great Lakes Distillery
Monday, September 2
Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals @ American Family Field
It’s High Life Monday (during which select seats are discounted) and the game has a 1:10 p.m. start.
Tuesday, September 3
Bluegrass Whatevers @ Nashville North
Originally started by members of The MilBillies, Chicken Wire Empire, Valley Fox, and more, as a socially distant jam session in 2021, the weekly Bluegrass Whatevers series has grown and developed over time by bringing in a range of accomplished guests musicians, dialing in its format, and changing homes since its origin. Before Bluegrass Whatevers continues its run of free shows at Nashville North on September 3.
Wednesday, September 4
Silversun Pickups @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Thursday, September 5
Third Space Presents with TAE @ Third Space Brewing
Friday, September 6
Mondo Lucha @ Turner Hall
Since starting in 2008, Mondo Lucha has brought high-flying wrestling action, burlesque dancers, and live music to its annual Turner Hall showcase. Along the way, the variety show has managed to work with renowned pro wrestlers, sell out numerous shows, and become a must-attend Milwaukee event. The beloved local variety show returns to its familiar ballroom haunt Friday, September 6!
Saturday, September 7
Silver City Fest @ National Avenue, between 32nd and 35th
Sunday, September 8
Spoon + A Giant Dog @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Monday, September 9
Avril Lavigne + Simple Plan, Girlfriends @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
We don’t want to go and make things so complicated, so we’ll just state it clearly and concisely: Avril Lavigne will headline AmFam Amphitheater on Monday, September 9 as part of the accomplished singer’s “Greatest Hits Tour.” Simple Plan and Girlfriends will play in support.
Tuesday, September 10
Afroman @ X-Ray Arcade
If you’re planning to see Afroman at X-Ray Arcade on Tuesday, September 10, please, please take a lesson from the veteran rapper’s most popular song and refrain from getting high beforehand. We don’t want you to miss out on this show!
Wednesday, September 11
Milwaukee Night Market @ Wisconsin Avenue, between 2nd and Vel R. Phillips
Thursday, September 12
Keith Sweat @ Riverside Theater
Longstanding R&B legend Keith Sweat is coming to Riverside Theater on Thursday, September. Who can entertain you like this six-time platinum singer, songwriter, and producer? Nobody.
Friday, September 13
Matt Kearney @ Pabst Theater
Saturday, September 14
5th Annual Shorewood Feast
On Saturday, September 14, a stretch of Oakland Avenue will be closed down to serve as the site of the 5th annual Shorewood Feast. The “family-friendly foodie event” offers attendees of all ages an abundance of food options, an eclectic lineup of local music, activities (face painting, a caricature artist, balloon creations, and an Adventure Rock climbing wall), and nine hours of fun between the 4200 block and the 4400 block of Oakland Ave.
Sunday, September 15
Era’s Drag Brunch (Taylor’s Edition) @ Milwaukee Improv
Monday, September 16
Victoria Canal @ Vivarium
Tuesday, September 17
Arlo Parks @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Wednesday, September 18
China Lights @ Boerner Botanical Gardens
The ever-popular China Lights display will return to Boerner Botanical Gardens from September 13 through October 27. The 2024 edition brings about a celebration of The Year Of The Dragon.
Thursday, September 19
Third Space Presents with Wire & Nail @ Third Space Brewing
Friday, September 20
Music On The Beerline @ Beerline Plaza
Saturday, September 21
Bay View Bash @ Kinnickinnic Avenue, between Potter and Clement
Milwaukee saves one of its best summer festivals for last. Bay View Bash will return to Kinnickinnic Avenue on Saturday, September 21 (summer’s penultimate day!) and will fill the eponymous neighborhood with 11 hours worth of live entertainment, family fun, retail vendors, food, and drinks (including a new Bash Beer). We’ll be there and we hope you join us!
Sunday, September 22
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: Lavish Waste @ Cactus Club
This season, we’ve assembled a stacked roster of 16 acts that will provide FREE all-ages entertainment at Cactus Club during halftime of Green Bay’s games. The September 22 game will feature a 15-minute performance by Milwaukee’s own Lavish Waste.
